This is a friendly discussion among brothers and sisters who all love the Book of Mormon and believe it is actual history. We seek unity on how to interpret the text and Church history. This blog focuses on the North American setting as the simplest and best explanation of Book of Mormon geography, with Cumorah in New York, but we recognize other settings are meaningful for other people.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

What would it take?

Because I teach environmental science and ethics, I'm constantly discussing environmental issues with students and peers. I came across a comment by an environmental scientist who asks himself a question I'd like to pose to Mesoamericanists, if any will ever dare have a conversation.

Is There Anything in the Global Warming Debate That Would Convince Me I'm Wrong?

There is a constant process I go through, from a forecast for tomorrow, to when I train with weights. Unless challenged, you do not improve. So the challenge is listed in the title above. I must always seek the right answer. It’s not getting soft, it’s simply using this methodology to either confirm or deny my idea.

So, is there anything in the global warming debate that would convince me I’m wrong?

As a matter of fact, yes. [He gives his examples]

Now, I ask people who don’t see things my way: Is there anything that can challenge your position on this? If not, then your position is dogma, very different from what is needed to strive for the correct idea on this matter.

I'll apply this to Book of Mormon geography. Here are a two things that could convince me I'm wrong, or at least prompt me to reconsider:

1. A single document that unequivocally shows Joseph Smith taught or believed in a Mesoamerican setting.

2. A single archaeological finding in Mesoamerica that is not merely a "correlation" but a direct evidence of Book of Mormon people living there in the right time frame.

Now, I'll pose the question to the Mesoamericanists: Is there anything in the Book of Mormon geography debate that would convince you you're wrong?

Based on what they've written, no amount of Church historical documents or archaeological evidence in North America (or lack of such evidence in Mesoamerica) would convince the Mesoamericanists they are wrong. The only thing would be a declaration from the current President of the Church that the Book of Mormon events all took place somewhere other than Mesoamerica--and no doubt they would parse that every which way before conceding.

I'm very interested if any Mesoamericanist can cite any other specific thing that would convince them, but I don't expect any of them to come forth with any suggestions. In my view, based on their writings, their position is dogma, not science or rational argument.

About Me

I like the way Daft Punk wear robot suits in public. I'd rather focus on the music than the personalities. Same with Internet discussions; I'd rather focus on the information and the logic of the arguments than the personalities. That said, people want to know I'm a real person, so here's a photo of me at the UN in New York.

Disclaimer

The author writes this blog in a private capacity which is unrepresentative of anyone or any organization except for his own personal views. Nothing written by the author should ever be conflated with the editorial views or official positions of any other person or institution.